A list of new San Francisco restaurants to try in the moment. All of these venues opened in 2007 or early 2008 -- and are worth a trip and a taste if you're checking out the latest culinary attractions in the city.
For additional recent and upcoming openings, see a list of New San Francisco Restaurants 2008.
1. Anchor and Hope Fish House
Anchor and Hope is the latest venture from the team behind Town Hall and Salt House. The venue is a renovated turn-of-the-century building with exposed brick -- and a vibrant, open design accented by a long zinc bar.
As the name suggests, Anchor and Hope is all about the fish -- from oysters to Fried Ipswich Clams. Link to the profile for more details on the restaurant.
Serpentine
SoMa - See: San Francisco Neighborhood Map
83 Minna Street (between 1st and 2nd)
San Francisco, CA 94105
Tel: (415) 501-9100
2. Best-O-Burger
This place is getting raves for its menu of mini-burgers and Roman-made Spot-O-Gelato. So, if you're looking at the queue near Belden Place, you'll know it's the Best-O-Burger phenomenon taking its toll.
Although Best-O-Burger is primarily a carnivore's delight, there is a Vegg-O-Burger along with Strings and Ring-O's and Romaine-O Fingers Salad. The whole idea is the small package -- less fat, fewer calories, more meat-to-bun (or vegg-to-bun) ratio. It's busy. Be prepared to pack up and take away.
Best-O-Burger
Financial District - See: San Francisco Neighborhood Map
89 Belden Place (at Pine)
San Francisco, CA 94104
3. Blue Bottle Cafe
Blue Bottle Coffee has been a fixture in Hayes Valley and at farmer's markets throughout the area. The new Blue Bottle Cafe isn't a restaurant per se -- but it's a mandatory stop if you find yourself near the new Mint Plaza (at Mint and Jessie).
Blue Bottle is known for its organic, pesticide-free, and shade-grown beans. In the beautiful new cafe, Blue Bottle serves up coffee via Japanese Siphon Bar, a glass-beaker invention which brews the coffee in single doses. Blue Bottle also serves sandwiches and light food.
Blue Bottle Cafe
SoMa (near Westfield Center) - See: San Francisco Neighborhood Map
66 Mint Street (at Jessie)
San Francisco, CA 94103
4. Brenda's French Soul Food
A warning to the soul-food starved: Brenda's is small. The venue is entirely casual and cozy. And there will be a wait. But if you're craving a Sloppy Josephine (lighter version of the Joe), a cup of gumbo, and a Fried Oyster P-Boy, there aren't too many places in San Francisco with local cuisine spun with a bit of New Orleans. (See Angeline's in Berkeley and Hard Knox in San Francisco for two additional options.)
Brenda's French Soul Food
Civic Center - See: San Francisco Neighborhood Map
642 Polk Street (at Eddy)
San Francisco, CA 94102
Tel: (415) 345-8100
5. Conduit
Conduit is a vibrant, modern space with a large dining room and kitchen counter seating as well. Thematic cohesion comes by way of metal and black -- copper, bronze, black wood, black tile. For all of the hard surfaces, you'd think the decibel level would be unbearable. But it works.
Conduit's menu ranges from items like duck confit to gnocchi with dungeness crab, to more carnivorous selections like New York steak.
Conduit
Mission - See: San Francisco Neighborhood Map
280 Valencia
San Francisco, CA 94103
6. La Trappe
La Trappe bills itself as a Belgian Bistro and Trappist Lounge. What that means to San Francisco beer lovers is a grand selection of Belgian style brews and ales, bottled and on tap. (See the La Trappe Beer List)
If you've traveled in Belgium or just appreciate a plate of moules with your Rodenbach, La Trappe has Moules a la Biere, along with a menu of bistro selections like Salade Nicoise and Belgian Endive Salad.
La Trappe
North Beach - See: San Francisco Neighborhood Map
800 Greenwich Street
San Francisco, CA 94133
Tel: (415) 440-8727 (TRAP)
7. Local Kitchen & Wine Merchant
Local Kitchen & Wine Merchant allows for a variety of ambiance options -- from planting yourself at the wine bar for a single glass -- to enjoying a communal meal at a very long table -- to indulging in a private dining option, somewhere in between.
The venue is modern and streamlined with a wood-burning pizza oven, pasta dishes and a variety of organic and sustainable food choices. Adjacent is the Wine Merchant Shop with more than 250 bottles of wine and a selection of gourmet foods.
Local Kitchen & Wine Merchant
SoMa - See: San Francisco Neighborhood Map
330 1st Street
San Francisco, CA 94105
8. Serpentine
The Dogpatch neighborhood is home to Serpentine -- the new sister restaurant to Slow Club on the other side of Potrero Hill. Although the menu is not atypical by San Francisco standards -- with dishes like seared Alaskan Black Cod and Baked Salt Cod -- in this age of bringing our food back home, Serpentine deserves some affection for its focus on local, fresh ingredients.
The space leans toward industrial with its warehouse setting. And it's a bit loud -- not unlike Slow Club in that regard. But there are cozy booths and warm lights, not to mention a selection of classic cocktails with a Serpentine twist.
Serpentine
Dogpatch - See: San Francisco Neighborhood Map
2495 Third Street (at 22nd)
San Francisco, CA 94107
Tel: (415) 252-2000
9. Spruce
Since opening in the summer of 2007, Spruce is often booked weeks out. If you absolutely have to get a fix of Chef Mark Sullivan's fresh and local preparations, there is bar seating for the late comers with a menu that includes mussels, salumi and caesar salad (among other selections).
Spruce can be a bit of a scene, owing to its popularity. But the setting is elegant and comfortable, not ostentatious.
Spruce
Laurel Heights - See: San Francisco Neighborhood Map
3640 Sacramento Street (near Locust)
San Francisco, CA 94118
Tel: (415) 931-5100
10. Yoshi's San Francisco
Yoshi's is a renowned name in local jazz, with its long-standing Yoshi's club in Oakland. Yoshi's San Francisco opened in late 2007. The jazz venue is separate from the restaurant and lounge, although drinks and a bar menu can be had during shows.
Read a Profile of Yoshi's San Francisco posted just after the club and restaurant opened in 2007.
Yoshi's San Francisco
Western Addition/Fillmore - See: San Francisco Neighborhood Map
1330 Fillmore (at Eddy)
San Francisco, CA 94115
Tel: (415) 655-5600
11. Waterbar
Go to Waterbar for seafood and a view of the Bay Bridge. From the circular bar and dining room, you'll have a line of sight to the world of San Francisco Bay. There's also a fair-weather patio by the promenade.
Waterbar comes from restauranteur Pat Kuleto (of Boulevard, Farallon, Jardiniere). Although the aquatic theme is reminiscent of Farallon, Waterbar is an entity unto its own. It's decorated with floor-to-ceiling aquariums, cascading raw bar and enough exposed brick to keep you warm. The glass walls to the Bay Bridge allow the city's bay-side environment into your dining space -- just a bit.
Waterbar
Embarcadero/SoMa - See: San Francisco Neighborhood Map
399 The Embarcadero (at Folsom)
San Francisco, CA 94105
Tel: (415) 284-9922